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Chapter 76

Judas

The history of Judas presents the sad ending of a life that might
have been honored of God. Had Judas died before his last journey
to Jerusalem he would have been regarded as a man worthy of a place
among the twelve, and one who would be greatly missed. The abhorrence
which has followed him through the centuries would not have
existed but for the attributes revealed at the close of his history. But it
was for a purpose that his character was laid open to the world. It was to
be a warning to all who, like him, should betray sacred trusts.
A little before the Passover, Judas had renewed his contract with the
priests to deliver Jesus into their hands. Then it was arranged that
the Saviour should be taken at one of His resorts for meditation and
prayer. Since the feast at the house of Simon, Judas had had opportunity
to reflect upon the deed which he had covenanted to perform, but
his purpose was unchanged. For thirty pieces of silver—the price of a
slave—he sold the Lord of glory to ignominy and death.
Judas had naturally a strong love for money; but he had not always
been corrupt enough to do such a deed as this. He had fostered the
evil spirit of avarice until it had become the ruling motive of his life.
The love of mammon overbalanced his love for Christ. Through
becoming the slave of one vice he gave himself to Satan, to be driven
to any lengths in sin.
Judas had joined the disciples when multitudes were following Christ.
The Saviour’s teaching moved their hearts as they hung entranced upon
His words, spoken in the synagogue, by the seaside, upon the mount.

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Judas saw the sick, the lame, the blind, flock to Jesus from the towns
and cities. He saw the dying laid at His feet. He witnessed the Saviour’s
mighty works in healing the sick, casting out devils, and raising the dead.
He felt in his own person the evidence of Christ’s power. He recognized
the teaching of Christ as superior to all that he had ever heard. He
loved the Great Teacher, and desired to be with Him. He felt a desire
to be changed in character and life, and he hoped to experience this
through connecting himself with Jesus. The Saviour did not repulse
Judas. He gave him a place among the twelve. He trusted him to do
the work of an evangelist. He endowed him with power to heal the
sick and to cast out devils. But Judas did not come to the point of
surrendering himself fully to Christ. He did not give up his worldly
ambition or his love of money. While he accepted the position of a
minister of Christ, he did not bring himself under the divine molding.
He felt that he could retain his own judgment and opinions, and he
cultivated a disposition to criticize and accuse.
Judas was highly regarded by the disciples, and had great influence
over them. He himself had a high opinion of his own qualifications,
and looked upon his brethren as greatly inferior to him in judgment and
ability. They did not see their opportunities, he thought, and take
advantage of circumstances. The church would never prosper with such
shortsighted men as leaders. Peter was impetuous; he would move
without consideration. John, who was treasuring up the truths that
fell from Christ’s lips, was looked upon by Judas as a poor financier.
Matthew, whose training had taught him accuracy in all things, was
very particular in regard to honesty, and he was ever contemplating
the words of Christ, and became so absorbed in them that, as Judas
thought, he could not be trusted to do sharp, far-seeing business. Thus
Judas summed up all the disciples, and flattered himself that the church
would often be brought into perplexity and embarrassment if it were
not for his ability as a manager. Judas regarded himself as the capable
one, who could not be overreached. In his own estimation he was an
honor to the cause, and as such he always represented himself.
Judas was blinded to his own weakness of character, and Christ
placed him where he would have an opportunity to see and correct this.
As treasurer for the disciples, he was called upon to provide for the
needs of the little company, and to relieve the necessities of the poor.
When in the Passover chamber Jesus said to him, “That thou doest,
do quickly” (John 13:27), the disciples thought He had bidden him

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buy what was needed for the feast, or give something to the poor. In
ministering to others, Judas might have developed an unselfish spirit.
But while listening daily to the lessons of Christ and witnessing His
unselfish life, Judas indulged his covetous disposition. The small sums
that came into his hands were a continual temptation. Often when he
did a little service for Christ, or devoted time to religious purposes, he
paid himself out of this meager fund. In his own eyes these pretexts
served to excuse his action; but in God’s sight he was a thief.
Christ’s oft-repeated statement that His kingdom was not of this
world offended Judas. He had marked out a line upon which he expected
Christ to work. He had planned that John the Baptist should be
delivered from prison. But lo, John was left to be beheaded. And Jesus,
instead of asserting His royal right and avenging the death of John,
retired with His disciples into a country place. Judas wanted more
aggressive warfare. He thought that if Jesus would not prevent the
disciples from carrying out their schemes, the work would be more
successful. He marked the increasing enmity of the Jewish leaders, and
saw their challenge unheeded when they demanded from Christ a sign
from heaven. His heart was open to unbelief, and the enemy supplied
thoughts of questioning and rebellion. Why did Jesus dwell so much
upon that which was discouraging? Why did He predict trial and
persecution for Himself and for His disciples? The prospect of having
a high place in the new kingdom had led Judas to espouse the cause
of Christ. Were his hopes to be disappointed? Judas had not decided
that Jesus was not the Son of God; but he was questioning, and seeking
to find some explanation of His mighty works.
Notwithstanding the Saviour’s own teaching, Judas was continually
advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem. At
the feeding of the five thousand he tried to bring this about. On this
occasion Judas assisted in distributing the food to the hungry multitude.
He had an opportunity to see the benefit which it was in his power to
impart to others. He felt the satisfaction that always comes in service to
God. He helped to bring the sick and suffering from among the multitude
to Christ. He saw what relief, what joy and gladness, come to
human hearts through the healing power of the Restorer. He might
have comprehended the methods of Christ. But he was blinded by his
own selfish desires. Judas was first to take advantage of the enthusiasm
excited by the miracle of the loaves. It was he who set on foot the

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project to take Christ by force and make Him king. His hopes were
high. His disappointment was bitter.
Christ’s discourse in the synagogue concerning the bread of life was
the turning point in the history of Judas. He heard the words, “Except
ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life
in you.” John 6:53. He saw that Christ was offering spiritual rather than
worldly good. He regarded himself as farsighted, and thought he could
see that Jesus would have no honor, and that He could bestow no high
position upon His followers. He determined not to unite himself so
closely to Christ but that he could draw away. He would watch. And
he did watch.
From that time he expressed doubts that confused the disciples. He
introduced controversies and misleading sentiments, repeating the arguments
urged by the scribes and Pharisees against the claims of Christ.
All the little and large troubles and crosses, the difficulties and the
apparent hindrances to the advancement of the gospel, Judas interpreted
as evidences against its truthfulness. He would introduce texts of Scripture
that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting.
These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples,
and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon
them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear
that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for
evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead
them almost imperceptibly on another track. Thus in a very religious,
and apparently wise, way he was presenting matters in a different light
from that in which Jesus had given them, and attaching to His words
a meaning that He had not conveyed. His suggestions were constantly
exciting an ambitious desire for temporal preferment, and thus turning
the disciples from the important things they should have considered.
The dissension as to which of them should be greatest was generally
excited by Judas.
When Jesus presented to the rich young ruler the condition of
discipleship, Judas was displeased. He thought that a mistake had been
made. If such men as this ruler could be connected with the believers,
they would help sustain Christ’s cause. If Judas were only received as a
counselor, he thought, he could suggest many plans for the advantage
of the little church. His principles and methods would differ somewhat
from Christ’s, but in these things he thought himself wiser than Christ.

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In all that Christ said to His disciples, there was something with
which, in heart, Judas disagreed. Under his influence the leaven of
disaffection was fast doing its work. The disciples did not see the real
agency in all this; but Jesus saw that Satan was communicating his
attributes to Judas, and thus opening up a channel through which to
influence the other disciples. This, a year before the betrayal, Christ
declared. “Have not I chosen you twelve,” He said, “and one of you
is a devil?” John 6:70.
Yet Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the
Saviour’s lessons. He made no outward murmur until the time of the
feast in Simon’s house. When Mary anointed the Saviour’s feet, Judas
manifested his covetous disposition. At the reproof from Jesus his
very spirit seemed turned to gall. Wounded pride and desire for revenge
broke down the barriers, and the greed so long indulged held him in
control. This will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering
with sin. The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome,
respond to Satan’s temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.
But Judas was not yet wholly hardened. Even after he had twice
pledged himself to betray the Saviour, there was opportunity for repentance.
At the Passover supper Jesus proved His divinity by revealing
the traitor’s purpose. He tenderly included Judas in the ministry to the
disciples. But the last appeal of love was unheeded. Then the case
of Judas was decided, and the feet that Jesus had washed went forth to
the betrayer’s work.
Judas reasoned that if Jesus was to be crucified, the event must come
to pass. His own act in betraying the Saviour would not change the
result. If Jesus was not to die, it would only force Him to deliver
Himself. At all events, Judas would gain something by his treachery.
He counted that he had made a sharp bargain in betraying his Lord.
Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself
to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a
lesson. He intended to play a part that would make the Saviour careful
thenceforth to treat him with due respect. But Judas knew not that he
was giving Christ up to death. How often, as the Saviour taught in
parables, the scribes and Pharisees had been carried away with His
striking illustrations! How often they had pronounced judgment against
themselves! Often when the truth was brought home to their hearts,
they had been filled with rage, and had taken up stones to cast at Him;

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but again and again He had made His escape. Since He had escaped
so many snares, thought Judas, He certainly would not now allow
Himself to be taken.
Judas decided to put the matter to the test. If Jesus really was the
Messiah, the people, for whom He had done so much, would rally about
Him, and would proclaim Him king. This would forever settle many
minds that were now in uncertainty. Judas would have the credit of
having placed the king on David’s
throne. And this act would secure to
him the first position, next to Christ,
in the new kingdom.
The false disciple acted his part in
betraying Jesus. In the garden, when
he said to the leaders of the mob,
“Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same
is He: hold Him fast” (Matt. 26:48),
he fully believed that Christ would
escape out of their hands. Then if they
should blame him, he could say, Did
I not tell you to hold Him fast?
Judas beheld the captors of Christ,
acting upon his words, bind Him
firmly. In amazement he saw that the
Saviour suffered Himself to be led
away. Anxiously he followed Him
from the garden to the trial before the Jewish rulers. At every movement
he looked for Him to surprise His enemies, by appearing before them as
the Son of God, and setting at nought all their plots and power. But as
hour after hour went by, and Jesus submitted to all the abuse heaped
upon Him, a terrible fear came to the traitor that he had sold his Master
to His death.
As the trial drew to a close, Judas could endure the torture of his
guilty conscience no longer. Suddenly a hoarse voice rang through the
hall, sending a thrill of terror to all hearts: He is innocent; spare Him,
O Caiaphas!
The tall form of Judas was now seen pressing through the startled
throng. His face was pale and haggard, and great drops of sweat stood
on his forehead. Rushing to the throne of judgment, he threw down

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before the high priest the pieces of silver that had been the price of his
Lord’s betrayal. Eagerly grasping the robe of Caiaphas, he implored him
to release Jesus, declaring that He had done nothing worthy of death.
Caiaphas angrily shook him off, but was confused, and knew not what to
say. The perfidy of the priests was revealed. It was evident that they
had bribed the disciple to betray his Master.
“I have sinned,” again cried Judas, “in that I have betrayed the
innocent blood.” But the high priest, regaining his self-possession, answered
with scorn, “What is that to us? see thou to that.” Matt. 27:4. The priests
had been willing to make Judas their tool; but they despised his baseness.
When he turned to them with confession, they spurned him.
Judas now cast himself at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him
to be the Son of God, and entreating Him to deliver Himself. The Saviour
did not reproach His betrayer. He knew that Judas did not repent; his
confession was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation
and a looking for of judgment, but he felt no deep, heartbreaking
grief that he had betrayed the spotless Son of God, and denied the Holy
One of Israel. Yet Jesus spoke no word of condemnation. He looked
pityingly upon Judas, and said, For this hour came I into the world.
A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. With amazement
they beheld the forbearance of Christ toward His betrayer. Again there
swept over them the conviction that this Man was more than mortal.
But if He was the Son of God, they questioned, why did He not free
Himself from His bonds and triumph over His accusers?
Judas saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the
hall exclaiming, It is too late! It is too late! He felt that he could not
live to see Jesus crucified, and in despair went out and hanged himself.
Later that same day, on the road from Pilate’s hall to Calvary, there
came an interruption to the shouts and jeers of the wicked throng who
were leading Jesus to the place of crucifixion. As they passed a retired
spot, they saw at the foot of a lifeless tree, the body of Judas. It was
a most revolting sight. His weight had broken the cord by which he
had hanged himself to the tree. In falling, his body had been horribly
mangled, and dogs were now devouring it. His remains were immediately
buried out of sight; but there was less mockery among the
throng, and many a pale face revealed the thoughts within. Retribution
seemed already visiting those who were guilty of the blood of Jesus.